IDC says China smartphone market growth contracted for the first time in six years

Smartphone growth in China has contracted for the first time in six years, according to latest figures from market research firm IDC.

According to IDC, smartphone shipments fell in Q1 2015 by 4 percent compared to the same quarter last year, with shipments totaling 98.8 million. Comparing data from this quarter to Q4 2014, the research firm states that shipments have fallen by 8 percent. The stumped growth is believed to be related to the struggle of convincing those already with a smartphone to switch, much like other developed markets.

Kitty Fok, managing director at IDC China commented on the report:

"China is often thought of as an emerging market but the reality is that the vast majority of phones sold in China today are smartphones, similar to other mature markets like the US, UK, Australia, and Japan. Just like these markets, convincing existing users as well as feature phone users to upgrade to new smartphones will now be the key to further growth in the China market."

It would also tie in with Chinese-based manufacturers looking to expand overseas to capitalize on the affordable flagships segment of the smartphone market. Interestingly, Apple sits at the top of the charts, shipping nearly 15 million devices since 2015 kicked off. However, local manufacturer Xiaomi sits in a comfortable second with 13.5 million shipments.